page

2016 Airport Industry Connectivity Report

For the third time ACI EUROPE and SEO Aviation Economics are publishing an annual update on the state of European air connectivity.

Today, the issue of air connectivity is more important than ever for Europe. With a persistently sluggisheconomy and the global centre of economic gravity continuing to shift eastwards, it is essential thatEuropean businesses and citizens are readily able to connect with and tap into new sources of growth. In parallel, the deepening and streamlining of the EU internal market also offers more opportunities forgrowth, and the ability to accessibly travel within this single market remains crucial.

While the central importance of air connectivity is now widely understood, the actual concept of connectivity is inherently vague – and often meaning different things to different people. It is therefore essential that a clear definition is applied to quantify connectivity, and that this methodology is employed consistently to track changes in connectivity across time and space.

The 'ACI EUROPE Airport Industry Connectivity Report 2016' does just that. Analysing connectivity data from the SEO Aviation Economic's 'Netscan' connectivity model, the report provides in-depth insights into how well Europe is connected by air, both internally and with other regions in the world. It distinguishes between direct and indirect connectivity, and also takes a special in-depth look at the dynamics at Europe’s hubs – which act as engines of connectivity for wider outreach. The report also makes clear how Europe’s air connectivity has evolved – not only since last year, but also since the financial and economic crisis of 2008.